Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 68354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
“You okay?” she asks, her head tilted to the side. She’s brushing her hair but eyeing me with concern. “You mumbled a lot in your sleep last night.”
“Did I?” I suppose it’s only natural. I mean, doesn’t everyone go to bed thinking about the flogging scene they just had with their future master? I giggle to myself.
“Good to see you smile,” she says, with a smile of her own before she heads toward the kitchen. I grab a box of cereal in the kitchen and make myself a cup of coffee, but when I pull the milk out, it’s expired. Damn. Rifling through the cabinets, I find a loaf of bread, but we’re out of butter and jelly.
Today, this will change. I take a deep breath, determined that I won’t let this get me down. I’ve got an opportunity here, and I’m not going to waste it.
“Hey, guys, I’ve got good news,” I tell them. I reach for my purse and take out a few bills. “I got a… special job offer.” God, I’ve got to finalize my story. “And I’ll tell you later what it is.”
Bailey gives me a curious look while she slides her coat on. “Cora, how can you work another job? Honest to God, you’re already—”
“I’m going to figure it out,” I tell her. “I promise.” I can’t tell her I’m not working for Verge, though I will be working at Verge. “But tonight, we’re going to order real pizza, and I’m going to fill you in with all the juicy details.”
“Really,” Bailey says, but all Ben heard was pizza. He whoops and pumps his fist. I hand them the cash and feel kinda proud of myself, shoving away any residual guilt.
“So here,” I tell them. “Get yourselves a breakfast sandwich or donut or something on the way to school, okay?”
Bailey takes the money hesitantly. I’ve taught her too well.
“Okayyy.” She says warily. “And yeah, I want details later. All the details. Okay?”
“Yeah, sure,” I lie. Like hell I’m giving her all the details. “Go, before you’re late.”
They leave, and I take a frantic look at the time. I’ve got to move. I grab my schoolbooks and throw them into my bag, then toss my bag on the couch. I plan on taking a quick shower, but then I remember today’s day one. Damn it. I need to really take care things like shaving my legs.
So, I pamper and preen as best I can, rapidly shaving my legs and slathering on lotion, then choosing my nicest pair of jeans and a snug-fitting pale green sweater. My thick hair will take forever to dry, and I have hardly any makeup, so I’ll have to do my best. Feeling a bit guilty, I sneak into Bailey’s room and borrow some lip gloss, mentally promising myself I’ll get her new stuff when I get paid.
Shit. I have like one minute left.
I grab a light jacket and my bag, then race out the door, ignoring the smell of cigarettes and pot that lingers in the hallway. I smile to myself when I see the gleaming car out front, and suddenly remember he said he’d have the money wired to my account this morning. Yes. God, yes. My throat feels tight and my nose tingles. I could get money in a lot of other ways, and maybe I’m betraying myself a little with this. But I’m not going to think about it. Not now.
Manuel stands beside the door of the car and bows his head to me.
“Good morning, miss,” he says.
“Glad you didn’t call me ma’am,” I say. “Or we’d have to have words.”
His eyes crinkle around the edges with a smile as he opens the door. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Manuel,” I say with a huff. “Do I have to speak to Mr. Alexander about this?”
To my utter shock, he immediately sobers and shakes his head. “No, Miss Myers,” he says. “My apologies.”
I feel ashamed of myself, as if I’m abusing some kind of authority I didn’t even know I had. Good God, what kind of power does Liam yield?
“No worries,” I say, feeling like a total fake. I’m just a college girl wearing borrowed lip gloss and thrift store clothes, climbing into this expensive car and wielding power that isn’t mine. But before I can say another thing, the door closes and I’m in the luxurious leather interior. I pinch the bridge of my nose to get my shit together, and my stomach churns. I haven’t had anything to eat, which is probably just as well. It would be nice if I lost a few pounds if he’s going to see me naked again.
If?
Then I remember how he sat me on his knee and gave me a warning smack for talking badly about my body.
Maybe… maybe he likes me just the way I am. I don’t quite get it, but it’s a weird concept.